Courtesy Ann Donnelly
By Ann Donnelly
For three years, Judy Viger operated Salon V out of a “hidden” location off Exit 16 in Wilton. It was a modest start, intended to be a quiet venture for Viger and perhaps one other stylist. However, business grew at a pace that demanded a larger stage. Following her father’s long-standing advice to “walk before you run,” Viger decided it was finally time to sprint.
On Dec. 1, 2025, Salon V officially opened its doors in the newly developed Moreau Commons. Located south of South Glens Falls on the busy corridor toward Northway Exit 17 and Saratoga, the move marks a significant evolution for the business, trading seclusion for a high-traffic storefront and an expanded suite of wellness services.
Viger, a veteran of the local hair industry with nearly 20 years of experience, did not always envision herself as a salon owner. For much of her career, she was content renting booths at various shops along the same route where her new business now sits. Her priority was always flexibility; as a mother of four sons, she refused to let a career interfere with their milestones.
“I have four sons that are grown now, but I was lucky to be able to make my own schedule for the most part,” Viger said. “I never missed out on their games and their practices and important things. My clients were great; they knew that I was a mom first and a hairdresser second.”
The shift toward ownership only came when her youngest son left for college, leaving behind a quiet house and a new sense of professional restlessness.
“I kind of felt like an emptiness,” Viger said. “I felt like I needed to find something else to do. I found a location and was like, ‘I’m going to do this.’ I was able to finally put more time into myself and my career and do something that I’d never been able to do before.”
The transition from a solo practitioner to a business owner brought a steep learning curve. Viger admits that the administrative side—managing overhead, navigating social media marketing, and even small tasks like updating online maps—can be all-consuming. She credits her resilience to her upbringing; her parents founded Adirondack Tree Surgeons, providing her with a front-row seat to the grit required to keep a small business afloat.
“You kind of know what it takes to own a business,” Viger said. “Anybody can open a business, but is it going to stay open or be successful? With any business, you can’t just open it and kind of turn your head.”
The new space at Moreau Commons is designed to be as functional as it is aesthetic. With approximately 33,000 cars passing daily, the visibility is a stark contrast to her previous “hidden” spot. The salon now houses five independent professionals, including hairstylists, a lash specialist, and a massage therapist who also provides facials.
Viger operates on a booth-rental model, meaning each professional is technically their own boss. It is a structure she intentionally chose to foster a sense of collective success. “The salon is successful by how successful we all are,” she said. “It’s not just about me being successful. I just try to do whatever I can to help them be successful.”
The expanded team allows Salon V to offer specialized services that have seen a recent surge in popularity, particularly hair extensions. While younger clients often seek them for dramatic length, Viger has found a dedicated niche among women over 40.
“I’ve noticed with my clientele, hair extensions are more for women who have thinning hair. They want to feel like they have more,” Viger explained. “It’s a big confidence builder for people.”
Beyond the technical skills, Viger’s primary mission is to protect the “vibe” of her shop. In an era of social media filters and high-pressure expectations, she wants Salon V to be a sanctuary of honesty and positivity.
“I just want positive vibes. I just feel like life is hard enough, and everybody’s going through different things,” Viger said. “I just don’t want negativity at all. People come in to sit and relax. We want everybody just to feel and look their best when they leave.”
That philosophy extends to the “honest opinions” her team provides during consultations. Whether it is a client asking for an unattainable style from an Instagram filter or someone transitioning to embrace their natural gray, Viger emphasizes communication over a quick sale.
“I’d rather work with what you have and embrace that,” she said. “The biggest thing in the salon industry is making people feel good—making them feel better about themselves.”
As she settles into the new location, Viger is enjoying the “full-circle” feeling of being back in the South Glens Falls community where her sons went to school. While she has briefly considered the possibility of a second location in the future, for now, her focus is on the present.
“I foresee us being here for a while,” Viger said. “It’s been a positive move. Right now, I would say I am just keeping this one location and seeing how this goes.”
Salon V at Moreau Commons is currently accepting new clients. Get more information through the salon’s website at SalonVBeauty.com.